How to Start with Solar: A Homeowner’s Guide

With utility electricity charges going high every month, many homeowners are now looking for alternatives to having electricity at home without hurting their wallets. In this article, we will discuss the one alternative to saving bills each month for electricity which is solar power.

Why Solar?

Savings - Aside from the savings you get for electricity bills, you can get long-term savings through incentives and tax credits. Although this varies from state to state, we recommend you check what available incentives or offers you get as a solar owner through a solar company near you.

Energy Independence - Since you are now generating your own electricity, you will have less reliance on the grid in terms of getting electricity for your own. In addition, you will be able to have overall control over the energy that you produce. There are occasions in which if you are overproducing, you can sell the extra solar power you produce to get more savings. On the contrary, you have to make sure that this option is available in your area so that you can take advantage of this option.

Help the Environment – By using solar energy, you can help reduce carbon emissions that are usually produced by utility companies to provide electricity. In addition to that it is a renewable energy source so you can always continue to harness solar power as much as your solar panel can produce.

What is solar?

Solar panels work by harnessing the sun’s energy to generate usable electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect. Here’s how it works: 1. When sunlight (photons) hits the solar cells, it knocks electrons free from atoms, creating an electric current. 2. These electrons flow through the panels, generating electricity. 3. Solar inverters then convert this direct current (DC) into usable alternating current (AC) electricity for your home. Essentially, solar panels transform sunlight into power, providing a clean and renewable energy source for homes and businesses.

Assessing a Home's Suitability for Solar

Since we already have an idea of why we should go solar, we will then prepare ourselves to check if we are in the right condition to have solar panels installed in our homes. 

Climate and Location – It is very important that we have to consider the location and weather conditions in your home. The reason why is that the main source of our solar power comes from the sun. If the weather conditions in our area are not sunny or less sunny the whole year, we might not be able to get the outcome that we wanted for our solar investment.

Roof Condition and Roof Position – The main area where solar panels are installed is on the roof. Thus, it is important to know the condition and where your roof is facing for optimal production of our solar panels. Before making the installation, it is highly recommended that the roof is evaluated if it passes the requirement for the solar installation. 

Financing, Incentives, and Solar Installation

Since we already know why we should go solar, what is solar, and what is needed to have solar, let us start on how to actually proceed on how to acquire and install.

Financing options – Buying your own solar panel on your own costs a lot of money. Thus, it is recommended to acquire financing options for you to have less or even no upfront payment for starting solar. Moreover, you must contact a local solar company to know what financing options are available for you and what incentives you are eligible for when starting to have solar panels.

Solar Installation – It is possible that you can do DIY in doing solar installation but it encompasses a lot of process and technicality just in the preparation process. That is why most homeowners just don’t want to go to the hassle by hiring a solar company to do it for them. In most cases, this would not only save you the hassle but will also give you peace of mind that your solar panel would work properly.

Furthermore, you need to make sure that you are going to a reputable solar company that has a proven track record and is trusted by many. In Connecticut, we have Prime Energy Solar which is a leading company with 20 years of experience so rest assured that you are in good hands.